Let's Do This Again!

August 16th, 2021. It's a gorgeous sunny day. Candace walked out of the courthouse filled with relief and a bright outlook on the future. As she is driving back home, while on the phone with her mom, telling her all about how her divorce was finally official, her phone dings. It's Facebook messenger. Jonathan Temples' name appears. This random stranger had added her a few days prior and was now messaging her. Confusion and curiosity fills her. She decides she will finally message him back. All of a sudden, they are messaging every day, video chatting, and sending Snapchats back and forth. The pair talk nonstop for weeks, when they finally plan a weekend to be able to meet. As soon as Candace pulls into the driveway of Jonathan's rental house, with her son Keaton in the backseat, the butterflies went into overdrive in her stomach. She couldn't believe this was really happening. They spent the weekend in a hotel, going to the zoo, different restaurants that they had never tried. It was an amazing weekend, and she was just glad that he was including Keaton and planning everything around him. As she drove home on Sunday, waves and doubt and worry came over her. She was so scared he would never message her again and that it was just a one weekend affair, but as these thoughts filled her head, his name came on her phone screen. It was forever from there.

With the gorgeous view of the Kentucky Lake in front of them, they started on their trek up the trail to the little lighthouse right at the edge of the water. Candace was 9 months pregnant with their son Oliver. Her parents, Brenda and Rick, were right there alongside them. Jonathan grabbed Candace's hand and led her to the doorway of the lighthouse. He took the birthstone ring he had bought her the Christmas before off her finger and kneeled down. He promised her to always love her through whatever trials life would throw at them. He asked her to marry him as her parents watched and her mom took pictures. She said told him she would, and he slid the ring right back on her finger. They both giggled because life had already thrown so many obstacles in their way, but they got through them as a team, but didn't seem to have time to go ring shopping.

Discovery Lodge, Evansville, Indiana. Candace, Jonathan, Keaton, and Oliver were attending Brenda Vincent's Local picnic on August 5, 2023. Her father, sister, and nieces and nephew were in attendance by their sides. They found a shady area under a tree. Her mother officiated the ceremony. They vowed to fight for each other and their relationship, to always put the other first, and vowed that their loved would forever burn bright for each other. They looked longingly in each other's eyes with each vow. It was intimate, short, and sweet, but it was the legal binding of the couple and their little family they had already started to grow. They now shared a last name and vowed to be together forever... BUT..it wasn't the finale.. They both agreed they wanted Jonathan's one and only actual wedding to be of their dreams. They knew it wouldn't happen for awhile, but they wanted to plan an actual wedding and reception when they had the chance to do it how they wanted and have the ability to be free with funds.